Cranston, RI Business Licensing & Operations: Pawnbrokers (2026)
Key Facts
- Annual license fee
- $100
- Surety bond required
- $2,000 to city treasurer
- License transferable
- No
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 6 months jail
- Licensing authority
- Bureau of Licenses
Summary
Cranston requires pawnbrokers to hold an annual $100 license from the bureau of licenses, post it publicly, and post a $2,000 surety bond before opening for business.
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in business as a pawnbroker in the city, unless he or she first shall have procured a license therefor from the bureau of licenses.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4824304; v14 updated 2026-05-18).
Full Breakdown
Operating as a pawnbroker in Cranston without a license from the bureau of licenses is unlawful under § 5.56.010. The annual license costs $100 (§ 5.56.020), must be posted conspicuously on the premises (§ 5.56.030), and cannot be transferred to another person or location (§ 5.56.040). Before a license issues, the applicant must post a $2,000 corporate surety bond with the city treasurer to cover violations of the chapter (§ 5.56.080). Licensed pawnbrokers must keep detailed transaction records open to police inspection and verify each seller's identity and proof of ownership (§§ 5.56.060-.070). The bureau of licenses or the state can revoke a license for violating license conditions or any other code provision (§ 5.56.050).
Violations & Fines
Operating without a license, letting it lapse, or violating license conditions can mean revocation; the chapter's general penalty is a fine up to $500 or up to six months imprisonment per offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to operate as a pawnbroker in Cranston?
Can a pawnbroker license be transferred to a new owner?
What happens if a pawnbroker violates the licensing rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cranston
Compare Cranston to another location·View the Rhode Island business licensing & operations overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Pawnbrokers in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle pawnbrokers.